MAS: Field Trips

Mecklenburg Audubon field trips are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Please remember to contact the Field Trip Leader to let him/her know you are coming. This will insure that you are notified of any changes in meeting locations/times and/or cancellations. Plus it is less likely they will leave without you. Please read this Bird Walk guidelines.

KEY TO PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY

Easy - Trails are level to slight grades usually paved. .5-1.5 miles of walking

Moderate - Trails can be uneven with some hills. 1-2.5 miles of walking.

Strenuous - Trails vary greatly. 2.5+ miles of walking.

* - Trails are handicapped accessible.

MAS Home > Field Trips

October Field Trips

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008: Evergreen Nature Preserve

1/2 Day - Moderate	Leaders: Larry & Louise Barden	Directions to Park
No matter what the season, a bird walk at Evergreen is an adventure. Fall migration can be especially rewarding. Go " Wild In The City" with us as we explore this urban "GEM" of Charlotte's Park System.
Meet at 8 AM in the Winterfield Elementary School parking in front of the playground. The school is at the very end of Winterfield Ave off Central Ave close to the intersection with Sharon Amity.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008: Huntingtowne Farms Greenway

1/2 Day - Easy*	Leaders: Vivian & Dean Sprehe	Directions
The paved greenway and open "park like" setting of this urban hot-spot allows for close up looks at a good variety of resident and fall migrating bird species. Soccer fields and a good stand of hardwoods and evergreens in the picnic area enhance the available habitat. Streamside willows and wild grapes are an added draw. Migrating Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Yellow Warblers have been found here on past Autumn bird walks.
Meet in the main parking lot at the end of Huntingtowne Farms Dr off Park road at 8:30 AM.

Northern Cardinal

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008: Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve

1/2 Day - Moderate	Leader: Ron Clark	Directions
With over 192 acres of natural woodlands, comprising the southern end of Nevin Park, RibbonWalk Forest lies largely untouched and unnoticed just minutes away from downtown Charlotte, NC. It is a woodland oasis in the heart of the city of Charlotte. The forest includes woodland and wetland habitat with several miles of nature trails and a variety of native flora and fauna. An extraordinary grove of old-age beech trees designated as a "treasure tree grove" stands out a one of the most impressive features of the forest. There are also picturesque mature pines, flowering trees and other native hardwoods. Wetland features include several ponds and meandering streams. Native wildflowers dot the forest floor.
There should still be birds migrating through. We have seen Golden-wings and Mourning Warblers but the birding gods were probably just playing with us.
We'll meet in the parking lot at 8 AM. Let Ron know if you are coming.

Lazy birders

Big Sit

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008: The Big Sit (Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge)

Full Day - Easy*	Contact: Dave Lovett	Map
Many years ago the New Haven, CT bird club started a birding event called the"Big Sit". This event is becoming more popular as the interest in birding has increased and the biding magazine Bird Watchers Digest has assumed sponsorship and record keeping.
The object of this event is to pick a "birdy " location and see how many species of birds can be seen or heard from this site in a 24 hour period. Birders cannot venture more than 17' from the site location, but can count bird species seen or heard outside the circle as long as the participants are within the circle.
Our first year in 2006, in nasty weather, we tallied 49 bird species including a migrating Peregrine Falcon. Coastal Big Sit sites were rained out, and our group took top honors in the count for both North and South Carolina. Last year with better weather, we improved our tally to 53 species including calling Great Horned Owls at dawn, and great looks at an obliging Lincoln's Sparrow.
If we are really lucky we might win the Golden Bird prize which is $500 from Swarovski Optik. For more information on the National Bit Sit and previous year stats check out 2008 Big Sit on the Bird Watcher's Digest web site.
Come join us on the viewing stand anytime from dawn to dusk for as long as you like. Bring folding chairs if you plan on staying a while. We keep a running tally of species seen and maybe you can add one to the chart. During counting lulls we swap birding tales and "Deano" jokes. Coffee, Tea, and camp stove hot dogs will be available You can also bring your own picnic lunch . Snacks to share with the group are always welcome.
A combined visit to the nearby Raptor Center can make for a great family Sunday outing. Extensive archival info on the Big Sit is available on the Bird Watchers Digest Web Site.
No need to pre-register, but for additional info contact Dave Lovett.

Blue Jay

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008: Latta Park (Dilworth)

1/2 Day - Easy*	Leader: Ron Clark	Map
The well known migrant trap at Latta Park is well known for a great birding site during spring migration. Less "birdy" in the autumn, it is still worth a peak to see what might be moving thru. Birding here is slow and easy, and Ron will help us sort out any confusing fall warblers we do find.
Meet in the main parking area at 8:30 AM.

Tufted Titmouse

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008: Beginning Birders

1/2 Day - Easy	Leader: Jill Shoemaker	Map
The third of our fall series of beginning birder field trips will investigate Evergreen Nature Preserve. We'll be looking for local residents and the arrival of our first winter visitors.
We will meet at 9 AM in the Winterfield Elementary School parking in front of the playground. The school is at the very end of Winterfield Ave off Central Ave close to the intersection with Sharon Amity.

Snowy Egret

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008: Huntington Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach, SC

Full Day - Strenuous	Leader: Judy Walker	Map
This is our fall sojourn to a South Carolina birding hot spot. Fall migrants – hawks and warblers – will still be moving through, wintering shorebirds will have settled in and a few ducks may also have begun arriving. This is probably one of the best times of the year to Peregrine Falcons and Merlins, and I am sure we will be delighted with spectacle views of hundreds if not thousands of tree swallows. Best of all, most of the people have moved out! It is a wonderful time of year to be on the beach.
We will meet in the parking lot on the eastside of the causeway at 7:30 AM. It can get pretty hot so remember a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. We will eat lunch in the park so you will also need to bring food.
Since many participants stay for the weekend, we usually go out to dinner on Saturday night. At dinner we will plan where we will go on Sunday.

Hairy Woodpecker

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008: Six-mile Creek Greenway

1/2 Day - Easy	Leader: Dennis Lankford	Map
The one mile paved Six Mile Creek Greenway along with some hidden side shoots, continues to offer some good birding surprises including harder to find Pileated and Hairy woodpeckers. One year we even found an olive- sided flycatcher. No promises this year other than a fun morning of birding!
Meet at 8 AM in the main parking.

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Site maintained by Judy Walker • Updated: 08/14/2008